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Blueline Tilefish

Caulolatilus microps

Shallower cousin to golden tilefish, on hard bottom rather than mud. 250-800 ft sweet spot — the 15°C isotherm is your depth target.

Preferred water temp55–68°F

Preferred depth250–800 ft

Holds onhard bottom, ledges, rocky relief on the shelf break

In our regions

Big Bend — GulfNortheast Florida — AtlanticCentral/Southeast Florida — AtlanticMiami & Keys — Atlantic sideSouthwest Florida — GulfFlorida Panhandle — GulfBahamas — Bimini & Grand BahamaBahamas — Abaco & AndrosBahamas — Eleuthera, Exuma & Cat IslandNorth Carolina (Outer Banks + Cape Lookout)South Carolina CoastGeorgia CoastAlabama GulfMississippi GulfLouisiana GulfTexas Gulf

Regulations

⚠️ BETA: best-effort current as of May 26, 2026. Confirm with the linked FWC / NOAA source before keeping a fish.

Showing 6 of 6 regulations

FEDERAL

Federal Atlantic (3–200 nm) — SAFMC

Currently OPENSeasonal

Bag limit

3 / angler / day

Minimum

16″ TL (total length)

Season

May 1, 2026 → Aug 31, 2026Recreational open season (varies, verify SAFMC)

Season set annually by SAFMC. Recreational 3/person within deepwater snapper-grouper aggregate, 16" TL min.

STATE

FL Atlantic — State waters (0–3 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit

2 / angler / day

Season

Invalid Date → Invalid Date

May 1 - Aug 31 only. Within 3-grouper/tilefish aggregate. Captain/crew prohibited from retaining.

FL Atlantic blueline tilefish: 2/day May-Aug.

SC_ATLANTIC

South Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · SCDNR

Currently CLOSEDClosed

Bag limit: 0 / angler / day

Closed Jul 22, 2025 - Apr 30, 2026 per SC.

SC blueline: currently closed.

NC_ATLANTIC

North Carolina — State waters (0–3 nm) · NCDMF

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit

2 / angler / day

Season

Invalid Date → Invalid Date

Per SAFMC federal rule.

NC blueline: May-Aug 2/day.

STATE

FL Gulf — State waters (0–9 nm)

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day

Year-round in Gulf. 100 lb or 2/person whichever is more in state.

FL Gulf blueline tilefish: 2/day, year-round.

AL_GULF

Alabama — State waters (0–3 nm) · AL CNR-MRD

Currently OPENOpen year-round

Bag limit: 2 / angler / day

Gulf year-round.

Alabama blueline: per Gulf federal.